2012.05.25 _ 45

"When you are content to be simply yourself
and don't compare or compete.
Everybody will respect you."
Tao chapter8

I have had so much conditioning in being competitive all of my life I have to work hard to see through it. And competition breeds comparisons. No comparisons = no jealousy, no insecurities.

In praise of friendly devotion
time draws its lines
pretending to know, or not to know

a million hands holding
banging and clanging symbols
in the dark

(was my entry this morning but made a page on 5-15 for some reason)

Lovely PaB morning.

Experimenting with chana/chickpea/garbanzo bean recipes. So long since I cooked with them; it seemed time to return. Good for vegetarians too. Tried a chana curry which was tasty but needs tinkering with. Things cook very differently at 5600ft!

Despite that, I've now managed a predictable pilau rice:
(1) Put 1 cup of basmati rice in a sieve and soak in cold filtered water for 20-25 minutes.
(2) Drain the rice, empty sieve into a pan and cover to double depth with more fresh water.
(3) Bring to the boil, adding 1 teaspoon of turmeric, 2 cloves and 2 green cardamons.
(4) Stir but allow to actually boil for exactly 2 minutes only.
(5) Drain immediately through sieve and return to the hot empty pan and cover tightly.
(6) After 5 minutes fluff lightly with a fork and serve.
Seems to work reliably every time.

Recipe for happiness? ;-)

http://is.gd/VYV6iK